Haandbryggeriet Dark Force

Brewed by Haandbryggeriet (Norway)
Style: Imperial Stout
Drammen, Norway

I have to Trump this one. Batch 74. Dark as the void of space yet yielding an abundant frothy expansion of chocolate color cream akin to the big bang suggestion. This analogy could actually shed light on the BB theory because after the expansion comes the recession and a final resting point of a full, thick bronze colored downy blanket of lace that just sits there. Could the universe recede after a certain point in time ? Anyone ? I know this is beer but many a great idea were spawned from here. I can smell Belgium. Mild aromas of dark fruits and cocoa w/ a twist of Belgian granite. Full nectar w/ perfect carbonation for a memorable creamy texture right off the lips. Nice! I wonder if anyone has gotten drunk in the void of space ? This brew has an extreme roast component that is not soon forgotten. Only mildly sweet w/ flavors of charred coffee bean, bitter dark cocoa, leather, minerals, and no fruit at all. The finish is long like a trip to planet x at light speed and leaves a trail of charred malts to linger forever. Overall: Ok, just as it claims, it’s extreme. This has to be one of the most highly roasted brews out there. Refreshingly unsweetened and the alcohol is well hidden. Drinks superb from the fridge to the last drop. I wonder if they used a Champagne yeast strain here. Dark Force totally reminds me of Black Flag. If you like one then you must try the other.

This stout is one of the best I’ve had. I expected less body from a wheat Stout but was pleasently surprised. Pours a black as night brew with a nice tan head that remains throughout the whole beer ( this one was one to savor, not gulp!). The mouthfeel was very nice and filling. Nice dark malty overtones with a slight bittering on the back end. It may have been too cold when I started, but got better as the afternoon passed. Definately one to keep on hand in the beer fridge for a special occasion!

Aroma is very distinctive - smoky and stoutish yet wheaty. It is not strong, but a good snootful had me licking my chops. It pours a deep, opaque chocolate brown, just a couple red tomcat whiskers above black, with a fairly thick and fluffy dark tan head. Flavor is very satisfying and toothsome - smoky and coffee-ish with undertones of both wheat and unsweet chocolate and nutty and molasses hints. Deliskabus! Texture is tingly and edgy yet milky smooth. This is a fabulous beer that is worth finding. Any place I can get it on tap?

Pitch black with a huge airy head which settled to a dense flim. A well roasted aroma, with loads of dark chocolate and espresso, and also a noticable wheat-precense. The taste is concentrated, and aggressive up-front; roasted malt, wheat, ash, tartness from the yeast, and bitter chocolate all come bursting in like a cavalcade of stoutness. Gradually, it mellows out with slight sweetness and finishes thick, woody, roasty and dry. This had quite a lot of CO2 for the style and I think that worked really well. Lush.

Bottle 9%ABV). An opaque black beer with an average sized, creamy and mostly lasting light brown head. Outstanding and powerful aroma, malty, with a blanced hoppiness for the style and notes of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, fruits (berries and dark fruits) and some American hops. The flavour is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Very fruity, balanced and unusual, refined. Medium to full body, lively carbonation, quite long finish with medium bitterness, almost no alcohol is felt. Amazing stout, with Dark Horizon and very few others among the best in this style.

50cl bottle from Bar&Cigar. Batch 137. 9% abv. It poured a black colour with a small light-brown head that settles down fast in the glass. The aroma smells of malts, wheats, alcohol and coffee. The flavour is bitter and tastes of malts, wheats, alcohol and dark chocolate. It has a lingering aftertaste.

may 08 (Bottle) tasted at the brewery. What a kick! Pitch black with creamy head, Tastes like it looks. Thick and creamy. perfect balance

Bottle (batch 74, May 07 production). Head is initially large, frothy, brown, mostly lasting. Body is black (not opaque, flashlight tested, although final pour is impenetrable), bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately to heavily malty (roasted grain/nuts, chocolate, coffee), lightly hoppy (herbs, grapefruit), with notes of licorice, blueberry, plum, scorched wood, lemon zest. Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, creamy texture, lively carbonation, lightly alcoholic. Wow. Another winner from Haand. Very complex nose with lots of subtlety, awesome balance in the mouth, luscious creamy texture, and well-hidden alcohol. It’s hard to ask for much more in a stout, really. In my top Impy list for sure. This is a great example of why bigger is not always better in this style...elegance in an Impy stout is a rare thing, but it’s something special when you can find it. Based on this and Norwegian Wood, these guys are clearly top-notch brewers.